The Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF) provides up to $1.5 billion in federal funding until 2030 for clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects that enable sustainable development and expansion of critical minerals in Canada. The current call for proposals offers up to $500 million in contribution funding across two streams.

Stream 1 – Preconstruction (Closed):

Funded preconstruction activities required to advance projects toward a shovel-ready state, including studies, planning, design work, assessments, infrastructure-specific consultation, knowledge sharing and engagement with Indigenous and other impacted communities.

Intake closed June 27, 2025.

Stream 2 – Shovel Ready (Open):

Funds deployment of shovel-ready projects, including site preparation, construction, rehabilitation or enhancement of infrastructure, as well as capacity-building activities and engagement supporting Indigenous and other impacted communities.

Expression of Interest accepted until January 5, 2026. Full applications accepted until March 4, 2026, through continuous intake on a first-come, first-assessed basis.

Program Objectives:

• Enable production and expansion of priority critical minerals resources by addressing gaps in clean energy and transportation infrastructure
• Drive emissions reductions in critical minerals operations by increasing access to renewable and non-emitting energy sources
• Advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples by supporting Indigenous partnerships, participation and benefits from infrastructure projects

Eligible Infrastructure Types:

1. Clean energy infrastructure Projects that drive environmental performance while supporting increased critical minerals production, including mine-site infrastructure (grid connection, renewable energy generation, battery storage, EV charging stations) and regional projects with demonstrated links to critical minerals production. Energy generation projects must have minimum net installed capacity of 500 kW (Indigenous-led) or 4 MW (non-Indigenous-led).

2. Transportation infrastructure Projects that directly enable critical minerals development, including roads, rail or marine infrastructure connecting mines to value chains, processing facilities and global markets. Infrastructure must be for movement of critical minerals (not solely for people/equipment).

Funding Contribution Limits:

• Up to $50 million per project for most applicants
• Up to $100 million per project for provincial and territorial governments

Types of Funding:

The CMIF offers non-repayable contributions, conditionally repayable contributions and grants. Contributions to for-profit, non-Indigenous organizations intended to generate profit within 10 years will generally be conditionally repayable. In most other circumstances, contributions will be non-repayable.

Collaboration with Canada Infrastructure Bank:

Applications will be shared with the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) for assessment of potential CIB investment. Where CIB financing is offered, the CMIF contribution will be scaled accordingly.